The YWPN EmpowerHER Dinner Nets a Record $101,500
(Featured photo: Students from the Young Women’s Preparatory Network with, from left back row: Joe Russo, Dr. Carla Russo, chair; Lynn McBee, CEO, YWPN; Regina Bruce, chair; John Pickett.)
Empowered Women Empowering Young Girls Presented by Westwood Wealth Management
The Young Women’s Preparatory Network (YWPN) is delighted to announce the YWPN EmpowerHER Dinner netted a record $101,500, more than twice their stated goal. The announcement was made at a lovely soirée generously underwritten by the Lone Star Monarchs and graciously hosted by Joyce Lacerte, who was also an honorary chair with the Women of the Lacerte Family including Quincy Lacerte, Madison Lacerte, Monroe Lacerte, Megan Barrie-Schwarz and Harriet Lacerte.
The EmpowerHER Dinner’s tagline says it all: Like a monarch transforming from a caterpillar to a butterfly – Empowering young girls to soar on their journey into adulthood.
Carla began her remarks by welcoming everyone and thanking Joyce Lacerte for her generous hospitality as this evening’s hostess. She thanked members of the Lone Star Monarchs who had given hours and hours of time as volunteers in support of the gala event.
Saying she was so grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside Carla as this year’s inaugural chair in support of YWPN, Regina recognized the evening’s harpist Leslie Valentincic before introducing Lynn McBee who shared her heartfelt gratitude to the principals and students, to the Lone Star Monarchs for their sponsorship and to everyone for “… rallying to the cause.”
Regina added, “Carla and l, and Team Lone Star Monarchs, extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated chefs, sponsors, patrons, media partners, artists, entertainers and YWPN staff, along with other friends and family for your support. Together, each of you boldly joined with us to help champion the inaugural YWPN EmpowerHER Dinner. We appreciate your encouragement, commitment to excellence, volunteerism and financial commitments to helping make this event so successful. It was truly remarkable and so very inspiring to watch everyone come together so spectacularly for such a great cause. One hundred guests attended this exclusive gourmet dinner, which was SOLD OUT.”
Carla and Regina also recognized the five celebrity chefs, each of whom created her own signature dish on site for this very special occasion. Celebrity chefs were Janice Provost, Chef/Proprietor, Parigi; Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, Culinary Director and Co-Owner of Eledi; Dunia Terselich Borga, Executive Pastry Chef, Co-Founder of La Duni Latin Café and La Duni Baking Studio; Leigh Hutchinson, Chef/Owner of Via Triozzi; and Mollie Guerra, Chef Mollie G Custom Cuisine. They were also especially grateful to Alison Matis, FestEvents Group, LLC, who coordinated the chefs so wonderfully.
They extended special thanks to Auction Chairs Cathy Amos, Kunthear Mam-Douglas, and Rosangela Zurawel. Together, with their auction committee, they raised over $25,000 to help support the dinner’s fundraising efforts, which is outstanding and so very much appreciated.
Carla also thanked fashion designer and Lone Star Monarchs’ team member, Anna Berman, founder of Annabelle Couture, for her haute couture fashion designs that were worn by herself and Regina at the dinner and for also designing exquisite gowns for the entire troupe of ballerinas and models who performed and entertained the crowd so beautifully.
Regina also recognized her team’s commitment to support YWPN outside of the scope of the fundraising for the dinner when she and Carla also agreed to chair the Back-to-School Drive. She acknowledged CAPTRUST Community Foundation for its $10,000 surprise grant last summer, which made quite a positive impact, as well as its grant of an additional $2,500 directly to Dallas ISD for the benefit of the Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School.
Also, she recognized the Lone Star Monarchs team, which donated $2,500 to YWPN for the benefit of the Young Women’s STEAM Academy at Balch Springs. In a joint effort and collaboration, the Lone Star Monarchs also teamed up with numerous businesses, corporations, and individuals to collectively purchase and fill over 300 backpacks with back-to school supplies and provide the teachers and staff at both YWPN schools with everything on their Amazon wish lists last fall. Then, thanks to the generosity and manpower of the Dallas Police Association, the Dallas Department, and Texas Instruments, all transportation needs to deliver all these school supplies were met successfully.
Lynn then introduced students representing two YWPN schools in Dallas ISD, Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School and the Young Women’s STEAM Academy at Balch Springs. Each student stated her name and her college plans for the future. Lone Star Monarchs gifted each student with a plush Monarch Butterfly and a Target Gift Card.
Then it was time for the big reveal! Bringing Lynn back to the podium, Carla and Regina unveiled the check for $101,500, representing the net income from the inaugural dinner, to a rousing standing ovation. Carla stated that thanks to these supporters and their tremendous efforts, fundraising goals set by YWPN staff and leadership were not only met but exceeded by over 100%.
Saying this is what strong, powerful women look like, Lynn thanked everyone again and Regina said, “As community partners, it is only through our collective efforts and collaborations that we can truly help these talented and bright young women, living in underserved communities, achieve real success. YWPN will use these funds to provide critical resources to further enhance the educational experiences of its students — so that when they graduate from high school, they will be empowered young women, well prepared for college and beyond. Thank you for helping them soar.”
EmpowerHER dinner sponsors also included Inspiration Sponsor, Sixth Street; Empowerment Sponsors CAPTRUST, Joyce and Larry Lacerte / ExponentHR, Nachawati Law Group, and Texas Woman’s University, Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership; Chefs Announcement Party Sponsor, Regina Bruce and John Pickett; Cocktail Party Sponsor, Jeanne Lewis; Couture Fashion Sponsor, Annabelle Couture; Airline Sponsor, Delta/Wheels Up; Floral Sponsor, McShan Florist; Graphic Arts Sponsor, Kristi Eakin Design; Printing Sponsor, The UPS Store on Lemmon Avenue; Website/Logo Design Sponsor, Black New Media; Wine/Champagne Sponsor, A&B Food, Wine and Spirits; Valet Sponsor, Schorr Law Firm PC; and Media Sponsors, PaperCity and People Newspapers.
Visit the website for more information: www.youngwomensprep.org/empowerher-dinner/
About Young Women’s Preparatory Network:
Our mission is to support single-gender, college-preparatory, public education in Texas and beyond, giving young women the academic and leadership skills to achieve success in college and in life. https://youngwomensprep.org/
Photos by Danny Campbell
(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent Young Women’s Preparatory Network’s EmpowerHER gala and associated events and post this Philanthropy Lifestyles Scene.)
